header

noun

head·​er ˈhe-dər 

1

: one that removes heads

especially : a grain-harvesting machine that cuts off the grain heads and elevates them to a wagon

2

a

: a brick or stone laid in a wall with its end toward the face of the wall

b

: a beam fitted at one side of an opening to support free ends of floor joists, studs, or rafters

c

: a horizontal structural or finish piece over an opening : lintel

d

: a conduit (such as an exhaust pipe for a many-cylindered engine) into which a number of smaller conduits open

e

: a mounting plate through which electrical terminals pass from a sealed device (such as a transistor)

3

informal : a fall or dive headfirst

took a header into the pool

4

: a shot or pass in soccer made by heading the ball

5

a

: head sense 15a(1)

b

: information (such as a page number) printed or placed at the top of each page of a document compare footer sense 2

Synonyms of header

• title
• caption
• heading
• headline

Examples of header in a Sentence

She tripped on the rock and took a header.

He scored with a header past the goalie.

Recent Examples on the Web

Evelyn Shores scored in the 53rd minute, thumping home a header from Fuller on a corner kick. —Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026

In the 79th minute, Germán Berterame found space for a header from close range and Kahlina shut him out again. —Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 15 Mar. 2026

Mainz scored early in each half with Paul Nebel's diving header and Lee Jae-song's close-range finish from a low cross. —ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026

The Revolution took the lead six minutes later, as Dor Turgeman’s header connected with another Langoni feed from the right side. —Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing header

• triple-header

Rhymes for header

• cheddar
• pedder
• redder
• shredder
• spreader

Kids Definition

header

noun

head·​er ˈhed-ər 

: a fall or dive headfirst

took a header downstairs